FAQs

There are lots of ways to overcome the lack of bone volume, indeed, I cannot think of a patient I could not help over the last 25 years. These days implants are made in all shapes and sizes, so short implants are always an option, but generally bone can be generated by a grafting procedure of some type to suit the defect or deficit.

This is the most common procedure for me, as there are more multiples than singles to help. It is not necessary to have an implant for every missing tooth, often, one implant can support two teeth or they can form part of a bridge.

The simplest and easiest implant therapy is to stabilise a loose or unstable denture with an implant or a series of implants. Most commonly we use a snap-like attachment, which firmly holds a denture into the mouth, the implant holds the male and the denture holds the female side. The denture is simply snapped onto the implant(s). If a denture is new it is possible to retro-fit attachments.

I frequently treat nervous patients, not only for implants but for standard dentistry. There are a range of options from counselling, through to oral sedation, onto Iv sedation and including general anesthesia in extreme cases.

When choosing any purchase, common sense will tell you that you get what you pay for, cheap implants are cheap because not all implants are the same, there are over 350 different implant systems in existence worldwide.

You need to be sure that an implant placed today can be serviced by the manufacturer for a long period of time, this can only be guaranteed by companies that have been in existence for many years with a proven track record of solid research and reliability. It is important to know that for instance; a new abutment or post may be sourced in 10 years time should one be required, that will only come from premium implant companies of the type we use.

Looking after your implants is essential, as is maintaining any part of your health, especially one that has restored your bite or smile. The importance of daily cleaning and flossing or using other oral hygiene techniques cannot be stressed enough, your dental hygienist will take a lead role in ensuring that you look after your implant restorations properly, but the focus must be on you the patient to become committed to oral hygiene.

We advise you see your hygienist every 3 months.

This is another of those pieces of string questions. It is almost impossible to answer because every case in unique. Your dental implants should last you many years, but as with normal teeth, it is the quality of your home care that has the biggest impact on how long your implants will last.

If you don’t look after your implants, they will develop a calculus and plaque, similar to that found on neglected natural teeth. Left untreated, as with natural teeth, this can lead to gum infection, bleeding, soreness and general discomfort. It could probably be said that implants much like teeth will last for as long as you can keep them clean.

Mini-implants are as described, small thin implants whose main use is to stabilize dentures at a very reasonable price, but they are not used for teeth very often as they don not have the necessary strength, however for denture security they are excellent and extremely competitive in price terms, and generally involves a very simple surgery to place them.

The implant is placed using local anaesthetic, but occasionally our patients request intra venous sedation, which is available from out consultant anaesthetist.

Generally, this healing or integration will take place over a period of about 2-3 months, after which time impressions can be made of the implant and the post and the crown can be manufactured by my dental technicians.